I also have a significant interest in the commons, having done some work on it in relation to a variety of topics, historical,, theoretical, and internet related. But on a much sadder note, I received a copy of this announcement a few weeks ago and now it is up on their website, so I thought I'd share it.
* Update on the Center for the Public Domain* Dear Friends, The Center for the Public Domain passionately believes that the scientific, artistic and entrepreneurial spirit of our society relies on access to a robust public domain. We recognize that the balance between intellectual property rights and freely reusable knowledge is the basis of our cultural heritage and scientific tradition. For the past two years, the Center has invigorated the vibrant public domain of knowledge part of the equation. Since our inception as a venture philanthropic enterprise, we have contributed to the founding of several organizations that study, nurture and secure the health of the public domain. We've helped ensure the success of these institutions through major gifts, grants and donations. We have built partnerships, united key parties and supported programs that strengthen the public community of shared knowledge and culture across many sectors - technology, law, medicine, academic research, education, media and the arts. Our job here is done. We are passing the torch to these leaders who will carry on the Center's legacy. We'd like to thank everyone who recognizes the importance of Sir Isaac Newton's truth, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." We'd particularly like to thank everyone who has helped the Center further its mission over the past two years. It has been a blast. Please nourish these organizations as they carry this important work forward: Public Knowledge <http://www.publicknowledge.org/> Creative Commons <http://www.creativecommons.org/> Center for the Study of the Public Domain at Duke University School of Law <http://www.law.duke.edu/ip/> The Norman Lear Center at University of Southern California <http://entertainment.usc.edu/> Berkeley Center for Law & Technology <http://www.law.berkeley.edu/institutes/bclt/> Consumer Project on Technology <http://www.cptech.org/> ibiblio at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill <http://www.ibiblio.org/> American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) <http://www.aaas.org/> National Academy of Sciences <http://www4.nationalacademies.org/nas/nashome.nsf/> Future of Music Coalition (FMC) <http://www.futureofmusic.org/> Legal Information Institute at Cornell University Law School <http://lii.law.cornell.edu/> Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) <http://www.eff.org/> Very Truly Yours, The Center for the Public Domain 2525 Meridian Parkway | Suite 200 Durham, NC 27713 tel: 919.549.8388 fax: 919.549.8449 racine@centerpd.org
-- jeremy hunsinger http://www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy cddc/political science http://www.cddc.vt.edu 526 major williams hall 0130 http://www.dromocracy.com virginia tech -under construction blacksburg, va 24061 540-231-7614 this email was sent from my office